Wow the suspense was palpable, the romance was heartfelt, and I loved the characters. An excellent end to the trilogy (although I will miss these characters!). This book kept me up late reading - I hated to put it down! I don’t know much about the “how it works” of cybersecurity, but I found that element to be fascinating (and scary!). Excellent book!

Having read the first two books in the Rocky Mountain Courage series by award-winning author, Elizabeth Goddard, I was excited to read Critical Alliance. I was not disappointed as it is certainly an adrenalin-producing story from beginning to end. The characters are colorful and riveting, as well as realistic and either likable, relatable, or despicable. Mackenzie, a cybersecurity specialist returns to an unwelcoming home situation to help save the family company. As she begins to work with security agent Alex, the mystery deepens. Who can be trusted? Why was a family member dead? Will any of them remain alive? I like how the author revealed things layer by layer, keeping me wondering how scenarios were ever going to work out. Readers who love exciting, heart-stopping mysteries will not want to miss Critical Alliance. It will keep you eagerly reading until the very last page.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

Critical Alliance, by Elizabeth Goddard, is a tale that seems to be full of action from page one. When Mackenzie Hanson sees a face from her past and this man passes along a coded message, she knows she must return to her former life. Mackenzie heads back to her family’s home and their tech company in Montana in order to discover what is going on!

Shortly after Mackenzie arrives at her family’s cabin, she finds Rowan, the brother who warned her to stay away, dead on the office floor. Mackenzie is not sure what to make of her family who have not been waiting for her with open arms. When she crosses paths with Alex Knight, another face from her past, her world becomes even more complicated!

Alex and Mackenzie have been involved in the world of criminality and cyber security for years. More importantly, Mackenzie wonders if her criminal past has finally caught up with her. Someone is definitely watching them; however, this person’s identity is yet unknown!

You will not believe it when you finally learn the identity of who is behind this cyber activity!

Critical Alliance
Elizabeth Goddard
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mackenzie Hanson has put her criminal past behind her, and become a professor of cybersecurity. When her former partner in crime delivers an unmistakable message about a cyberattack targetting her father's company, Mackenzie travels to Montana to protect her family and the business.

Diplomatic Security Services special agent Alex Knight is also in Montana following a protective detail that went awry. As he attempts to unwind, he's pulled into Mackenzie's dangerous situation. The two of them must work together to find the attacker before anyone else gets hurt.

One reason we enjoy suspense novels is because law enforcement will feature prominently in the story. This book introduced us to an unfamiliar agency, the Diplomatic Security Services, and it was interesting to learn about something new. Unfortunately, one critique of this book would be the uncharacteristic behavior of the male lead. He veered from procedural protocols and acted based on emotions. This made the storyline less believable and detracted from his character. In addition, this was Goddard’s third book in her Rocky Mountain Courage Series. While this novel could be understood independently, there were pieces that seemed disjointed between the characters without the previous history being known.

We received an advance copy from the publisher. This is our honest review.

COMPLEX CYBERCRIME CRIMINALS

One of my favorite romantic suspense writers is Elizabeth Goddard. She consistently writes books filled with dynamic drama, charismatic characters, myriad of murders & mysteries, vicious villains, & realistic romances. The same can be said of her latest release, Critcal Alliance.

What I like best about Critical Alliance is that Goddard uses a flawed young woman as her main character. Mackenzie Hanson made a fatal error in judgment as a juvenile and she has paid for it by having been estranged from her family for many years and missing out on sharing in the tech venture legacy left by their father. Also disappointing was not being able to get an appointment with the DSS (Diplomatic Security Services). Yet, she has been able to use her unique skill set as a professor of cybersecurity at a Michigan university. She receives intel that her family’s tech venture is being targeted with a cyber attack and she decides to offer her her skills to help stop the attack. When she arrives, things take a major downward spiral with the mysterious death of a sibling. Who can she trust? DSS Agent Alex Knight enters into the situation and attempts to get a handle on all the players and determine who is telling the truth. He is drawn to Mackenzie but can she be trusted? After the myriad of challenges that Goddard throws at them at their every turn, it will either make or break a relationship! Be prepared for edge-of-your-seat excitement from cover to cover.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own & without influence.

Critical Alliance is a high octane suspense (with a little romance thrown in) that kept me reading into the wee hours, 3 nights in a row. It checked all my boxes: an engaging plot, great writing skills, well-rounded characters and a deeply satisfying conclusion. Elizabeth Goddard has written a clean suspenseful book that kept me on the edge of my seat until the last paragraph. Even though it is part of the Rocky Mountain Courage series, it may easily be read as a stand alone.
5 stars!

Wow. Just wow. This was a non stop thrill ride from beginning to end! I don't know how authors come up with these plots, they are something I never think about until I read one of these books and start thinking hackers are tracking me 🤣

This book was too bogged down with cyber crime details for me, but if that is something that interests you I think you'll love this book.

It also didn't have as much romance as I was hoping for.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Elizabeth Goddard can always be relied on to write the most engaging mysteries and thrillers. Critical Alliance is no exception. The main characters in this novel are experts in their fields. Alex Knight is a DSS special agent who is on an enforced leave to decompress after a mission. He is in Montana to see his family, and stumbles upon a situation that requires his skills. He is adamant that he will protect Mackenzie Hanson as she tries to crack the codes that are putting her family’s tech company in jeopardy.

Mackenzie Hanson is a cybersecurity expert who is working as a professor of cybersecurity. She has been called home to Montana to help her family out of a dangerous situation. Although she had previously illegally used her expertise, she is now putting her knowledge to good use in a legal manner. She feels that she doesn’t need Alex’s protection and that she can see this through herself.

What follows is a thrilling novel that keeps the reader’s interest throughout. Although some of the intricacies of the cybersecurity language escaped me at times, I was able to follow the theme of the novel as I read it. I highly recommend any of Ms. Goddard’s works as intense thrillers and mysteries.

#BookReview: CRITICAL ALLIANCE by Elizabeth Goddard

I enjoy reading mystery and suspenseful books and this one didn’t disappoint. This is my first book by this author. It would have been nice if I read the first two books in the series, but this one can be read as a standalone.

When Mackenzie found out that his father’s company was in danger of a cyber attack, she didn’t hesitate to offer her assistance. Her expertise was put to good use. Some things were creepy and scary as danger progressed. There were life threatening circumstances and even death. There were a lot of twists and turns in the story that kept me guessing until the end. The author did a lot of research so the cyber crime felt authentic.

The chemistry between Mackenzie and Alex was just okay. There was so much tension and the romance was set to the side to save lives. There were a few faith elements as the characters were Christians. Nothing deep. Mackenzie’s sister, Nora, was not a favorite of mine. Her character seemed weak. I liked Alex’s friends though. They were good people.

Overall, it was a good and intriguing read. It was fast paced which I appreciate. If you like these kinds of books, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it

Rating: 4⭐
Series: Rocky Mountain Courage Book 3
Pub date: 05 July 2022

Thank you Revell books and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mackenzie Hanson is trying to put her cyber criminal past behind her and lead a productive life when she is contacted by someone from her past. Warned that her family and their business is in danger, Mackenzie rushes to her former home in Montana to attempt to thwart the infiltrator. Joining forces with acquaintance Alex Knight, a Diplomatic Security Service Agent home on leave, will she finally be able to redeem herself and put the past behind her for good? Find out in this riveting work of suspenseful fiction, which offers a satisfying conclusion to a trilogy.

Mackenzie has tried hard to put her teenage past behind her. She has worked hard to become the person she is now, although her past still follows her.
She has little to none relationship with her family as it was felt that her past was bad for the business her father was building. But, when she is delivered a message by her former partner in crime, and then he was a victim of a hit and run, she knew she had to go to her family in Montana. Upon her arrival, her brother was found dead. Was it murder? Had trouble came to her family so soon?
What's a great suspense story without romance? Introducing, Alex, who is a Diplomatic Security Services special agent who has came to Montana to get some much needed down time following a mission that went bad. He finds himself helping Mackenzie and falling for her. Will they both have ruined careers and reputations when this is all over?
This is a fast paced suspense story.
I was under no obligation to write a positive review. I was given an advanced copy by the publisher, Revell through Netgalley.

I enjoyed this mix of Montana wilderness and cybercrime. One of the strengths of this book, I feel, is that it shows you how much bigger the potential for cybercrime is than I ever realized. It is truly terrifying to think about....even going as far as to hack someone's personal medical device or vehicle.

I liked the mystery and suspense of this book. There were several tense moments. What didn't work so much for me was the relationship between Alex and Mackenzie. I felt I was being told they were attracted to each other rather than seeing it myself. It wasn't quite believable. I thought Mackenzie had better chemistry with Julian. Still it was an enjoyable book.

Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

A very suspenseful novel dealing with cyber security that keeps the readers guessing. I always look forward to Elizabeth Goddard's newest releases and this one was no different.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Critical Alliance had a lot to live up to and didn’t disappoint. The first two books in the Rocky Mountain Courage series were excellent, as was this third offering.

This story does a deep dive into the world of cyber crime and high end technology. Family outcast Mackenzie Hanson made some silly mistakes as a teen trying to be a modern day Robin Hood. However, her skills do set her up for a successful career in cyber security. She’s pulled back to her family business in Montana after an old friend warns her of a terrifying threat.

Alex Knight works as an agent with the Diplomatic Security Services but when a memorial to his late father is repeatedly vandalized, heads home to the same state to investigate. He didn’t anticipate running into Mackenzie, a woman who grabbed his attention when she interviewed with his agency in DC. Before he gets the chance to reintroduce himself, bullets start flying and he’s thrust into protecting her. From there, the pair team up to try and figure out who is targeting Mackenzie, and how to stop them before the body count rises.

Critical Alliance is an intricately woven story. Because the plot twists and turns, I was kept guessing about who the bad guy was (very clever). The backstory was obviously meticulously researched. This comes highly recommended to those who enjoy romantic suspense.

I received a copy from NetGalley. The views are my own.

This book was so dang good, I just could not put it down. So this is a book that would fall under don't read alone if you jump at every noice lol. I love Mackenzie I think like so many of us she beats herself ups for choices she made in the past but fights every day to make it right. She's a fighter and would stop at nothing including pushing the limits to help her family. Alex he was out to make things right for the families who lost loved ones up in the hills including his dad. He was another fighter. I felt like when you take these two you never knew what was going to be more stubborn about doing what. This author threw some twist and turns in right till the very end. I so wanted more in the end I was not disappointed with the ending but just wanted more. I loved how this author keeps you on the edge of your seat with what's going to happen next. Overall I really enjoyed this book if you can't tell :-) and I would totally recommend it.

Mackenzie Hanson's past is about to collide with her present and possibly her future.While Mackenzie is on a date at the carnival, she sees someone from her past and tries to catch up with him but loses him in the crowd.  Then a little later someone bumps into her then disappears again, she takes off trying to find him and when William catches up with her he wants to know what is going on. She tells him, "not here". Then at some point she feels something in her pocket, a Hanstech business card ( her family's company) and on the back is a QR code that she scans with her phone and she reads, "You're vulnerable to deadly attacks. They're taking the stronghold." She tells William she needs to go home to Montana, when he asks why, she tells him, "Family".
DSS Agent( Diplomatic Security Services) Alex Knight was home in Montana after spending 3 years abroad as security for a high risk asset. He decided to bike to the memorial that had been placed in honor of his dad and 2 other members of the SAR team at that time 17 years ago. He met up with the others who lost family in that crash and they were all happy to see one another and then he saw her. She saw him.
It had been 4 yrs since they met, when Mackenzie went to DC to interview for the DSS and Alex gave her the tour of DC. They hit it off immediately and she thought she would hear from him so when she did not she was very disappointed. 
Mackenzie is home to try and repair the relationships with her brother and sister, and to try and discover what the warning from her friend means. 
Thank you Elizabeth Goddard for allowing me to be on your launch team. This story was fantastic and I cannot wait for the next series.

After reading the first two books in this series, I was really excited to read book #3! Once again, it was a great read….just like the others. Romance, suspense, you name it! I really liked the characters in this book and the storyline as well. It was quite interesting, as this book was about cyber crimes and cybersecurity. If you like a book with great characters, lots of suspense and action, this is for you!

Elizabeth Goddard has become a go-to author of romantic suspense for me. Her current novel, Critical Alliance just solidified that for me. There’s a lot to like about this quick-paced book filled with close calls and a twisty plot. First the characters are real and relatable even though they have some major skills. Mackenzie is former hacker turned cybersecurity specialist and Alex provides high level security for the Diplomatic Security Services. (As a bonus I learned a little bit about this little known federal agency.) While their training and knowledge is well above what I’ve experienced they are down-to-earth characters with doubts and struggles common to all. They join in an off-the-books search for a deadly cybercriminal. The techie side of Critical Alliance, with its info on drones and hacking, is a fun and frightening addition to the plot. It’s scary what someone can do with current technology. Romance between the two is a big part of the story, and I enjoyed their growing relationship. Faith is naturally woven into the narrative. While Critical Alliance is book 3 in the Rocky Mountain Courage series, it is not necessary to read the first two to enjoy the book. There is a plot thread that has continued throughout the series, though. My advice, is to read the first two books. They are so good you won’t want to miss them!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for a complimentary ebook. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Mackenzie and Alex have to work together to save lives and find out what is going on. Mackenzie has turned her life around and now helps others to learn about the life she used to have by teaching cybersecurity. She has to put her skills to use when her father's company is threatened. She gets help from Alex, a diplomatic security agent. He has to work around who she used to be to see what she is now so that they can find out what is really going on and how to fix it.

I received a copy to read, the review is mine.